THE CHURCH CAN BE LIKENED TO A FOREST

 

What is a forest? According to Webster’s dictionary, a forest is a land covered with trees. Forests have different kinds of trees, of different sizes and of different ages. Collectively, though, they make a forest. I don’t think you’ll ever see a forest that has only one kind of tree, where all trees are of the exact same height, same trunk circumference, with the same number of branches and leaves.  

Like a forest, the Church is made up of people of different ages, genders, sizes, and nationalities, not to mention social, political, and economic differences. Shouldn’t these differences divide us? They should, but they don’t. We are able to live in a community by the blood of Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, who binds us together, making it possible. He has made us His family and instructed and empowered us through His Holy Spirit to love and take care of each other. 

In addition, each member has some abilities to contribute and responsibilities to fulfill to benefit the Body of Christ. Are you a Christian? Do you know what your role (talent, gift, abilities) is in the Church, and if so, what is it? Are you being productive in the Body? Your gift or talent is for the purpose of building up the body of Christ, so the Church will run smoothly and efficiently. In the end, you’ll receive a reward for being faithful, and if not, you’ll be punished (see Matthew 24:45-51). 

Your role in the Church is different from that of the other members, but your talent, no matter how minuscule, is as important as that of the other members. Just be faithful with whatever it is; God is not asking us to do more than He has gifted us to do. We need to encourage one another to be faithful in using our gifts, and we need to ensure that we are not envying one another. But how do we do that? 

How can we encourage anybody if we are not in ongoing fellowship with them? Meeting regularly as we are commanded (see Hebrews 10:24-25) will help us recognize each other’s gift (s). When we do, we need to share that with them prayerfully. Affirmation is important, because sometimes people don’t realize that some ability they have is a gift. We need to affirm such people and point them in the right direction. For example, if you notice that someone’s gift will be useful in a particular setting or ministry in the Church, you need to prayerfully encourage and point them in that direction. And then you need to be praying for and with them, that they would use that gift effectively. A counselor did that with me many years ago, and I’m still in that ministry!

 Just as a forest is visible to all who go there or drive by it, the Church needs to be visible to the world. The world needs to notice there is unity in the Church, despite our diversity. They also need to know the power behind our unity and diversity. Jesus saved us individually and placed us in one family—the family of God. He is teaching us through His Word to put our differences aside, live in fellowship, to love each other deeply (see 1 Peter 4:8), cut each other some slack in regard to our weaknesses (see Ephesians 4:2), correct each other as necessary, help each other to share the gospel, and live in anticipation of His return to claim the Church as His bride. Understand that our unity is fueled by the love of God. The Word of God that brought us together is able to keep us together. 

A forest can be admired for its greenery, but during the season when it is not so green, its lack of beauty makes it less attractive. Some of the trees might even be chopped down for wood. The Church has both admirable and not-so-admirable seasons. Most often though, people outside the Church only notice, focus, and comment on the non-so-admirable times. Sometimes, even one such negative season (immorality, dishonesty, gossip, infighting, and the like), can cause people to criticize not only the Church but God Himself. In order to be attractive to the outsiders, we need to live by the Bible; we can’t pick and choose when to obey it. God’s name is at stake; His name is being blasphemed among unbelievers because of us. This is disheartening!   

Church, we need to do better; let’s stop playing with sin, and seek after righteousness. We need to help one another in love and with humility. Let’s start with repentance, determining to live godly lives, and holding each other accountable. May God help us!

 

WHO IS GOING TO GO TO HEAVEN?

  

 

The subject of heaven is quite popular. Discussions on the topic cover various aspects of heaven, generating questions like:

Is there a place called heaven?

The answer to this question is: Yes, there is such a place! The Bible assures us of that when it says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). God tells us Heaven is His dwelling place, His throne (see Isaiah 66:1). It is a real place that is opened to citizenship: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).   Heaven is a Kingdom, and the Ruler is God the Father who co-rules with Jesus, the Son. Unlike earthly kingdoms, where succession is needed because of the death of earthly rulers, there will never be succession to the heavenly throne. God will never die; He’ll be King forever and ever!

Who can go there and when? 

Many people assume heaven is the automatic destination after death, but that is incorrect. There is a second-place called hell; at the end of life here on earth, each person will go to one or the other. Going to heaven is almost like moving to another country, except in the case of heaven, citizenship is required for admission. You can’t just visit or tour heaven and then go back home. Only citizens of heaven can go there. Your citizenship has to be in effect before you’re allowed entrance. No one can set a travel date; one can only go on the day the King beckons them to come, without prior notice. For that reason, citizenship needs to be acquired as soon as one decides they’d like to go there someday. That decision should be followed by fulfilling the requirements as indicated in the guide, the Bible. 

What are the requirements to get into heaven? 

When traveling to a foreign country, you need to obtain and produce when asked, the following documents: a passport, a Visa, immunization record, and how much money you are carrying. For entering heaven, the requirement is proof of citizenship. If you are a citizen, there’ll be no need to carry a piece of paper to that effect; your name will already be recorded there. Whereas with earthly travels, you need to live in a particular country for a number of years before applying to be a citizen, you have to be a citizen of heaven before entering it. The day you are called, Jesus will be at the pearly gate to welcome you because He knows you by name and knows the time of your arrival. What a grand entry that will be!  

How far in advance can you know you are a citizen of heaven?

One can know right at the time they fulfill the citizenship requirements. This will be different for every person. Some know for years in advance, while others could gain this assurance only a few hours or minutes before they’re called. For example, one of the thieves crucified the same day Jesus was barely made it. He fulfilled the requirement just before he would have missed the opportunity. Jesus assured him: “Today, you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). So, we know he made it! If you are reading this and don’t already have your citizenship ready, I implore you to not think you’ll do it later, because no one knows when and under what circumstances they’ll be called. That thief almost didn’t make it; do not put this off. Do it today!

What are the requirements for citizenship?

In order to become a citizen of heaven, Jesus has to declare that you are righteous! That righteousness is not because you are not a sinner; rather, it’s because He has paid the penalty for your sins. You and I sin because we are sinners; we are sinners because we inherited a sinful nature from our ancestors, Adam and Eve (see Romans 5:18-19). The punishment for sin is to be separated from God forever after death in hell (see 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10). Out of love for us, God, in the person of His Son Jesus, took that punishment on Himself when He died on the cross: “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God” (1 Peter 3:18).

This is what you need to do if you’d like to become a citizen of heaven. You need to admit you are a sinner, repent, and ask God for forgiveness through Jesus Christ. If you take this step, He will forgive you and come to live in your heart through the Holy Spirit: “When you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people” (Ephesians 1:13-14). Your citizenship will be recorded in heaven. You’ll have to read the Bible to know and understand the things God wants you to know and to prepare you for the life in heaven. The Holy Spirit will be your Teacher, Guide, and Comforter through this life. One thing He teaches us is to assemble with other citizens of heaven, also known as the Church, to pray, study His Word, and encourage one another.

Now, do this, and when the King is ready for you, He’ll call you, not a moment too soon or too late. Heaven will then be your home forever! 

What will people be doing in heaven?

In heaven, we will be filled with awe and wonder as we see God face-to-face. There will be an endless time of praise and worship (see Revelation 19:1, 3-7). We will be at the wedding feast of the Lamb and His Bride, the Church (see Rev 19:7). In addition to the many things we’ll be doing, there will be the awards ceremony (see Ephesians 6:8), where we get rewarded for whatever work we have done on earth for the Lord.

Would you like to go to heaven? Then hurry, gain your citizenship today; don’t put it off. Like they say, “There’s no better time than today!”

All quotes are from the New Living Translation.

A LOOK AT FORGIVENESS

 

What is forgiveness? According to Wikipedia, Forgiveness is the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and attitude regarding an offense, and overcomes negative emotions such as resentment and vengeance. In other words, the victim absorbs all the cost, pain, etc., associated with the ‘injury.’ The perpetrator goes free, never has to be responsible, pay back anything, or answer questions regarding the issue.     

Have you ever had to forgive someone? What was their offense, and why did you forgive them? Did they admit wrongdoing, and then ask for your forgiveness? Did you forgive, and what did it cost you to forgive: emotionally, socially, and financially? How did you feel personally after forgiving, and how was your relationship with the offender after you forgave? There are many questions to ask ourselves when it comes to forgiveness, whether we are the offender or the victim.

We will each respond differently to these questions, because we are all at different maturity levels in different areas of our lives. There’s One, however, whose attitude toward forgiveness answers these questions perfectly, and that is God! Contrary to what some think, God is the only one we each have to answer to; He is the Creator of the universe, including you and me (see Psalm 24:1). Some think they are free to do as they please, how they please, and when they please. The reality is that what they think doesn’t matter; only what God thinks, wants, and says matters. What people think does not change God’s truth.

Having established that we all have to answer to God, we have to understand that God has an issue with us: we have all sinned and deserve His judgment: “The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if any seeks God. But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one!” (Psalm 14:2-3). Out of love for us, God sent His Son Jesus to die in payment for our sins. The Scriptures put it this way: “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). This doesn’t call for an argument or self-defense; it calls for acknowledgment of sins, confession, and repentance. 

 If you repent, you will be saved: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved” (Romans 10:9-10). When you are saved, Jesus comes to indwell you in the person of the Holy Spirit, making you a new person; God becomes your Father, and you His child; the separation that existed because of sin no longer exists: “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). On the flip side: “…Those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all” (Romans 8:9)

 When God forgives, He no longer holds anything against you, no matter how big or little your sin. He credits you with Jesus’ righteousness, as if you have never sinned! “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12); “I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins” (Hebrews 8:12), and: “Now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death” (Romans 8:1-2).

Would you like to be saved? As we see from Scripture, God absorbs the cost (by the life of his Son Jesus) of our forgiveness, He forgives completely, and He never brings it back up or rubs it in our face! He does not keep us at arm’s length, but instead, He brings us into His fold and provides a safe haven for us. He loves us, provides for us, and teaches, encourages, and protects us (see Psalms 23 & 46). Nothing will ever be able to separate us from His love (see Romans 8:38-39).

If you have put your faith in Jesus, you are now a new person in Christ. How should you (we) live from now on? We should no longer live in sin because we are controlled by the Holy Spirit, who helps us do what is pleasing to the Spirit (see Romans 8:5), and we should also serve the Lord: “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God…For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:8-10). “He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ who died and was raised for them” (2 Corinthians 5:15).

Now that you’ve been born anew, feed on the Word of God to help you grow in your faith, and seek His face through prayer. If possible, find, and fellowship with, a church that holds to these truths. To God be the glory! 

GOD'S JUSTICE

Justice is defined as the administration of law that determines what is right, based on principles of equity and correctness, and rewards accordingly; it is the quality of being just, impartial or fair. The Bible says God is just, which means His response to our behaviors, good or bad, is the same, no matter who is involved. God does not play favorites and does not sweep anything under the carpet to cover up for anyone.

God is impartial because justice is His nature, and He would be denying who He is if He wasn’t just in all situations to the fullest extent. If He is not just all the time, it would be difficult to know whether to trust Him or not.

In order to judge fairly in any situation, there have to be clearly stated laws about situations. For instance, unless there is a law that says murder is wrong, God will not be holding anybody accountable for committing murder; the same goes for all other wrongdoings. God doesn’t think up rules as we go along: He has given us His laws already; they are written on our hearts, and we instinctively obey them. As proof that we know God’s laws, our conscience and thoughts either accuse us of wrongdoing or tell us we are doing right (see Romans 2:14-15).

Since God is just, He responds to our actions either by rewarding good behavior or punishing bad behavior. The Bible addresses this topic in detail; it tells us the consequences of wrongdoing, and not only when we are caught in the act, or accused by others. I believe that even if never caught, wrongdoing will be punished. The Bible clearly says, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). As I write this, I’m thinking about fraud, identity theft, and the like; these thieves who might never be caught will have to face God in court someday. 

The good is also rewarded, even if not noted or acknowledged by others at the time of occurrence. Once when Jesus was telling His disciples about the final judgment, He described how He would separate the people into two groups, and then make pronouncements as each group deserves. To the group on His right, He would welcome them into the Kingdom prepared for them, emphasizing: “I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. … and you visited me” (Matthew 25:35-36). The addressees, shocked by what they hear, will ask, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? … or in prison and visit you?” (Matthew 25:37-39). Although the first group was not aware that their good deeds counted for something, they were rewarded; God knows and sees all!

It took me a long time to start appreciating the Psalms that call for God to judge our enemies. It used to make me uncomfortable when I read Psalms that said things like, “Don’t let them get away with their wickedness; in your anger, O God, bring them down” (Psalm 56:7). Now I appreciate it because I understand God will judge and punish wrongdoing because He is just; whether I ask Him to or not, He will judge. I just have to make sure if I’m offended, I’ll forgive and not hold a grudge (see Romans 12:17-18). It is comforting to know that people who hurt you intentionally will have to answer to God unless they repent of course. His Word says, “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back, says the LORD’” (Romans 12:19). If He should ever choose not to, that will be His business, not mine, to worry about.

The book of Revelation teaches hell as punishment for unbelievers. I believe that’s how it’s going to be because God is just and faithful. There are many who think God is too loving to send anyone to hell, but they forget or don’t know, He is also too just to allow sin to go unpunished, and too faithful to go back on His Word.

May we take evangelism seriously, and let people know God is not joking about justice and judgment. If it wasn’t for Christ’s death, we would all go to hell, because we are all sinners (see Romans 3:23). Many have died already with no assurance of heaven, and for them, it is too late, but others still have time because they are alive. Let’s work tirelessly to win them for Christ, so they can escape God’s judgment and enter His reward!   

 

All quotes are from the New Living Translation (NLT).   Please share, thank you.